Body Systems Used in

TennisBy Cameron Campisi

Introduction

When playing Tennis our Body Systems work in different ways

to support one another. The body systems used need to be

healthy for the player to perform at there best. The body

systems used in Tennis are:

Skeletal System

Muscular System

Energy Systems

Circulatory and Respiratory System

Hydration is not a body system but it plays a important role

in helping the body systems work efficiently.

Skeletal SystemThe Skeletal System plays a major role when playing tennis, because it supports your body, gives it structure, protects major organs E.G lungs and heart, produces blood cells for the body to function and a place for the minerals to be stored. Major bones used in Tennis consist of Fingers, Wrists, Arms, Shoulders, Hips, Feet, Ankles and Knees.

Major Bones Used in Tennis:

Metacarpals and Phalanges (fingers): To grip and hold the racquet.

Carpals (Wrist): To flick and move the racquet.

Humerus, Radius, Ulna (arms): To support your wrist and fingers when hitting the ball, it also provides power when hitting the ball.

Clavicle, Scapular and the Upper Humerus (Shoulder): Needed to pivot and for serving.

Pelvis, Sacrum and Coccyx (Hip): Needed to align your body to hit the ball.

Tarsals, Metacarpals, Phalanges (foot): To move, run, balance move and for foot wear.

Talus (Ankles): To start and stop quickly.

Tibia, Patella (Knee): To bend over to hit the lower shots.

Types of Bones

Long Bones: Are the longest bones in the body, which are wider then

there width, an example is a Femur.

Short Bones: Short Bones are bones that are as wide as their length,

an example is the Carpals.

Flat Bones: Flat bones are the strongest bones and provide

protection to the vital organs, an example is the Sternum

Irregular Bones: Are bones that are shaped weirdly, an example is a

vertebrate.

Sesamoid Bones: These bones are usually short or irregular bones

that are attached to a tendon an example is the patella.

Types of JointsA Joint is a structure in the human body at which two parts of the skeleton are fitted together. Types of Joints are:

Fibrous Joint: These joints have no cavity and are connected with fibrous connective tissue. Fibrous joints connect the skull bones.

Cartilaginous Joint: They are connected entirely by cartilage. Cartilaginous joints allow movement between bones.

Ball and Socket Joint : Also known as the hip joint, is a natural or manufactured joint which is particularly rounded in a socket, this allows multidirectional movement and rotation.

Saddle Joint: A Saddle joint is a joint shaped like a saddle with articular surfaces that is convex in one direction and concaves in another. This allows movement in any direction except the centre rotation.

How these Bones and Joints are linked

to Tennis:

Bones are linked to Tennis because they are the structure of our body which

allows us to move, twist and hit the ball during a game of tennis. For example

our; fingers let us grip and hold the racquet, wrist, allows us to move the

racquet, our arms give us power when hitting the ball, shoulder, allows us to

pivot when serving, hips assist us to hit the ball, our knees let us bend down to

hit the lower shots and our feet allow us to start and stop quickly, and allow us to

balance.

Bone Joints are linked to Tennis because they give movement between the

bones, which allows us to put our bodies into unusual positions, such as hitting a

low shot. Without joints our bodies wouldn’t be able to move, as the joints

provide movement in our bones.

Muscular System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zMTypF9jVo

Major Muscles Used in Tennis:

Biceps: Biceps have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibres, and are used to hit the ball forehand.

Triceps: Triceps have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibres, and is used to hit the ball backhand.

Quadriceps: Quadriceps are intermediate fast-twitch muscle fibres, and are used for run to hit balls.

Hamstrings: Hamstrings have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibre, they are used to run and bend for low shots.

Gastrocnemius: Gastrocnemius have predominantly slow-twitch muscle fibres, they are used to step, jump and serve.

Abdominals: Abs have predominantly slow-twitch muscle fibres, and are used to twist and move your upper body.

Deltoids: Deltoids have predominantly fast-twitch muscle fibres, and is used to serve and for a overhead smash.

Muscular System: Fast or Slow Twitch

Muscle Fibres

Tennis is a predominantly fast twitch muscle fibre sport as it is 70% fast twitch

and 30% slow twitch. This is because when you play tennis you mostly have fast

and short bursts of energy during a set E.G. when there is a rally. Very rarely

there is a long period of game time in a game of Tennis.

Energy SystemsThere are two types of Energy Systems, they are Aerobic and Anaerobic. The

Aerobic energy system is the system that works for longer periods of time. The

intensity level is low-moderate, examples are cycling, rowing and long distance

running. Energy sources include Fats and Protein.

Anaerobic energy system is the system that works for a shorter period of time.

The intensity level is High, examples are sprinting, weight lifting, and high

jump. Energy sources include Carbohydrates and Fats.

Both of the Energy systems can be used at the same time, because at the

beginning of exercise the anaerobic energy system is providing most of the

energy as it extends over a short period of time. As the duration of the exercise

increases, the aerobic energy system becomes the dominant supplier of the

energy.

Energy Systems in Tennis

When playing a game of Tennis our body uses different percentages of each energy system. The percentages when playing a game of tennis is, 70% Anaerobic (Alactic Phosphocreatine), 20% Lactic Anaerobic Glycolysis and 10% Aerobic. Tennis predominantly uses the Anaerobic energy system because it is needed for short sprints and for a powerful serve in a set.

When playing a game of Tennis a build up of Lactic Acid slowly piles up. Lactic Acid is a colourless syrupy organic acid formed and produced in the muscle tissues during strenuous exercise and is always being produced, we don’t see it because the production is less than removal, this has been associated with fatigue.

During a Training Tennis Match your body accumulates: 1-9 mmol l (Millimoles per litre).

During a Tournament Tennis Match your Body accumulates: 2-8 mmol l.

Circulatory and Respiratory SystemsThe Circulatory System serves many important functions during a game of Tennis.

The Circulatory System consists of, the heart, blood vessels and blood, these

three body parts work together, delivering oxygen to the muscles being used,

e.g. the biceps, Oxygenates the blood by returning it to our lungs, transports

heat from our body to the skin, gives nutrients/fuel to active tissues, and

transports hormones, during a game of Tennis.

A game of Tennis requires high amounts of blood flow in the body. This is because

it sends oxygenated blood through veins and arteries, to the muscles that need

recovery. The oxygenated blood runs through the arteries and to the muscles and

tissues that are in use, then the de-oxygenated blood runs back through the veins

and back into the heart.

It is important that the Circulatory and Respiratory Systems work together, so

that the oxygen can be pumped around the body. Every cell in our body needs

oxygen and nutrients to create energy. Cells use oxygen to break down the

nutrients from food to release energy (respiration).

Circulatory and Respiratory SystemThe Circulatory and Respiratory systems are responsible for sending oxygen and

food to all the cells in the body. The respiratory system brings oxygen into the

body and releases the waste products produced by respiration.

An effective Respiratory system ensures that the maximum amount of oxygen

reaches the lungs and gets into the bloodstream. An efficient circulatory system

ensures the maximum amount of oxygen is pumped to the muscles and other

organs, this allows them to work more efficiently.

More efficient Circulatory and Respiratory System, allows better performance

and participation in Tennis, or any other sport.

Hydration

You must ensure that you drink about 500mL to 1L of water before your start

playing tennis, as this will assure that your body is hydrated and ready to play.

In a game of Tennis you must consume some sort of fluid every 15-20 minutes,

regardless of your thirst level. Just because you don’t feel thirsty doesn’t mean

your hydrated.

You must drink between changeovers, as it replenishes your body fluids. Sports

drinks are recommended as they contain carbohydrates and active electrolytes.

When a player consumes carbs during a game, studies have proven you are able

to maintain more power and accuracy.

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